Probably an odd question to breastfeeders, what formula would you use if you had to

[TinkerBellesMum]

After Tink was born they asked me if I had a preference (obviously until I could pump enough they would have to use some formula) and I said "not really" because I don't know a thing about formula. They said "Well, we've already given her some Premium, is it OK if we just carry on with that then?"
how the heck should I know? It's what she had anyway until I was giving enough milk for her.

I'm expecting to have this one early and the same question to come up, I'm still nursing Tink but I'm not going to be pumping enough straight away.

So what would you answer? Would you take into consideration their practices (C&G is probably not the most careful company at promoting their wares) or would you go for a good formula or would you just trust the NNU staff to just give her the first one out the box (or whatever they use to decide)?

[Lio]

I used Aptamil in cartons when b/f wasn't going well.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

I was asked this too in the same circumstances.
'i don't know, which is best'
'we aren't allowed to advise mothers on formula or say if one is better than the other'
'but its going in my baby's tummy and I need to know which is the best to give him'
'none is better than the other'
'so why do they all claim to be the best, do you have any statistics/ingredients lists/studies so that I can make an informed decision on what I feed my baby?'
'they are all the same'
'but they can't be because they all claim to be the best or have some superior ingredients. If we were talking about mince pies (he was born at xmas lol) I could read the ingredients on the box and decide which one has the best ingredients for him to eat. But I can't understand what all these ingredients are in these two boxes of formula you have brought me to look at and how they contribute to his nutrition'
'they are all the same and we are not allowed to point you at any particular one'

So in the end I made my choice in hosp of cow and gate cos that was the most familiar label to me, and when we got home dp got some Hipp.

still no idea which is 'best' and from a thread a few months back, you will never find out.

You never know you might not need to top up this time, I didn't with ds2.

[TinkerBellesMum]

I won't be able to put baby to breast straight away if she comes early, which is expected, and I won't have enough to give them straight away either. Last time I wasn't shown how to pump for 48 hours as I wasn't well.

[Bucharest]

something organic, if they make it.

[auntyspan]

my HV "unofficially" told me that she'd use Aptamil... but she said she shouldn't really be advising....

[louii]

God no idea, they kept trying to make me formula feed in the hospital, leaving bottles of Aptimel beside my bed, nice.

I think i would prefer one that was dairy free and not soya so does that exist, no idea, lol

[Minniethemoocher]

I used Aptamil.

[beforesunrise]

i did quite a lot of research into this... my decision was to go with the formula that had the least stuff in it, ie not listen to all those claims about being closest to breast milk, omega 3s probiotics etc (whcih they are getting from my breast milk anyway). so i went for Hipp Organic which is basically cows milk with added vitamins and minerals. plus it's organic, so hopefully a bit more 'pure'.

all the others including Aptamil (which has somehow achieved the fame of being the best for breastfeed babies, but i don't know based on what arguments) have soya and fish oils in them whcih i don't want my baby to have.

[mrsgboring]

I would opt for something based on organic milk. Would not use SMA or C&G because of their offensive and aggressive TV advertising.

[DeJaVous]

Tinkerbellesmum, has your colostrum come in yet? I remember you saying Tink was still getting plenty of milk anyway. Is it not an option to express now and freeze in tiny quantities?

My DD needed to be given formula and they sais nutricia Neocate was the best as it's hypoallergenic I wasn't in a position to make an informed choice and knew absolutely nothing about formula.

[DeJaVous]

ooops, I meant to say I'm not in the UK, and don't know if it's sold there.

[DeJaVous]

Oh, and they only gave it to babies who were going to be BF, so I guess it's expensive.

[morethanasong]

Like beforesunrise, I think I'd go for something without 'extra' ingredients. I guess donated milk is out of the question for you?

[TinkerBellesMum]

DeJaVous I've been thinking about it. I don't think I am getting any colostrum, I'm certainly feeling full, even TBD could feel the milk the other day. Tink's staying with my parents at the moment and going away next week so I need her to feed tomorrow when I go over! Might try and pump while she's away if I can find all the bits.

They do have DBM at the hospital as it's one of the banks, but I wasn't given the option last time, I think they may save it for the sickest babies.

[cafebistro]

When I worked on a NICU we were told not to advise on formula....though secretly we were told that Aptamil was the better one but also the most expensive. If I was to use formula I would use an organic one though where I worked none was available. You had a choice between SMA, C&G, Farleys and Aptamil. There was no milk bank either.

[Pixiefish]

I had to use formula and used Aptamil on the advice of a friedn who was a special care baby nurse

[ChairmumMiaow]

Tink - I have a tommee tipee hand pump you can borrow if you like (found my battery pack for my electric pump now so can use that at work!)

If I were you I'd at least give it a try cos you know you'll feel good if you've got some milk ready for your LO.

I really wish I'd known about / got it sorted to donate to a milk bank this time around (although heh, he was my first, who knows about these things).
I am a reserve unofficial milk donor for a friend who has to go into hospital and doesn't want to give her DD who was born at 32 weeks, formula unless she can help it. She's had a few similar offers from our breastfeeding group - perhaps your local group might do the same? (I would offer but its a bit far to deliver milk every day!)

[TinkerBellesMum]

I know where the electric unit is and I have bottles, I've just got to find out or replace the bit in the middle.

I think the one thing I'll be doing as soon as the baby is born is getting Tink to feed! I'm sure she'll be far better for my supply than a pump. Although she's been at my parents for two weeks and they're going to Malta Saturday and last time I said anything about "me me" she said "I don't want me me" but that could have just been in context. (She said she was Nanny's and doesn't love/want Mummy, I said she'd change her mind if she wanted me me. This is a game we play, not me being rejected so I don't know if her understanding is good enough to say that in context, she is clever though).

[whomovedmychocolate]

Tink - they may well have DBM - depends entirely on whether they've collected any and whether there are sicker babies which need it. Your milk is best even if its milk for an older baby. Where are you?

But to answer your question I think they are all fine they won't harm your child - go for the one with the nicest box!

[whomovedmychocolate]

Ah you are in Birmingham- I'm in Oxfordshire which is not that far away and I could give you a few ounces if you get stuck - I'm tandem feeding so I have masses of the stuff and our midwives are not prepared to collect it and drive it 30 miles to the milk bank so I quite often have a few extra waiting to go.